Monday, June 3, 2013

Vacation Photo Smorgasbord

I’m a history nerd. I don’t retain a lot, I’ll admit it, but I once spent four years taking loads of history classes, dissecting reasons for this and that, re-imagining famous battles, wondering about the lives of ordinary and not-so-ordinary people during major historical events, and writing a LOT of papers. So visiting Jamestown and Yorktown, Virginia, was a big deal to me. I think Tony would say that Washington, D.C. was his favorite or most inspiring part of the trip, but I would choose Jamestown as the best. Missing the exhibits at the ongoing archeological dig (where you can see “Jane,” the cannibalism victim!) and the Settlement recreation, well, is simply missing out if you’re going to make the trip to Williamsburg anyway.

Reproductions of the three boats that carried the first settlers to Jamestown in 1607. You would not BELIEVE how small they are, and how the human cargo of the settlers were stored for three months.

As with all the history sites we visited, the guides and employees were enthusiastic about the history of the area, the Settlement, the crossing, and the lives of the original settlers and local Indians. We, the nerds, spent a lot longer talking to them than most tourists.

I wear a lot of hats these days to protect my skin.

This is just my favorite photo. Heavy is the head that wears the circa 1610 helmet.

The ongoing archeological dig at Jamestown. This is the cellar/kitchen where “Jane’s” skull and femur – clearly indicating cannibalism – were found.

Tony’s helping to fire a mortar against the British at Yorktown.

He’s a different sort of captain, really.

George and I, we’re buds.

You can’t spit in Virginia without hitting a Civil War re-enactment. After all, it is the 175th anniversary. These are the Union soldiers, demonstrating sharpshooting and then rank and file at Yorktown.

They had a whole Civil War army camp setup there, and the people who hung out in costume to answer questions were really dedicated. And this is their hobby. The Civil War surgeon was a real MD and had a ton to say about medicine in the Civil War. It was fascinating.

D.C., where it was hot as blazes and we spent as much time as possible in the American History and Air & Space museums.

2 comments:

Liz
said...

I would LOVE to go on a History trip with you. Seriously. Not kidding. My brother will be stationed in Charleston for the next year. I've been once before but I missed a ton. Maybe we could do that????

History is the best....I too found the whole area amazing and fascinating...so much to see and absorb. While I have been there several times, I never am bored by the sites. Glad you were able to see and feel the history that is so important to this country...nice pictures...